Inoculated humus and process of making same.



outrun s'ra'rns PATENT enrich.

CARLETON ELLIS, OF MON'ICLAIR, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO ELLIS-FOSTERCOMPANY,

A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

INOGUIQATED HUM-US'AND PROCESS OF MAKING SAME.

No Drawing.

To all whom it may concern."

Be it known that I, OARLETON ELLIS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Montclair, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Inoculated Humusand Processes of Making Same, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to humus material, or peat, having an enhanced ormore available nitrogen content, with or without the addition of potash,phosphorus or similar, fertilizin material and also relates to theprocess 0 making the aforesaid product; all as hereinafter described andclaimed.

Ordinary humus, or peat, contains varying quantities. of nitrogen,ranging from about 1% to 6%,and various attempts have been made toutllize the nitrogen for fertilizing purposes, inasmuch as nitrogen isthe 7 most costly element of acomplete fertilizer.

The nitrogen in humus or peat, is however so firmly united, that it isliberated very slowly by the processes of oxidation and decay, and sohumusmitrogen is not regarded as a very satisfactory source ofnitrogenous materiah The nitrogen is apparently present in three forms,as amido nitrogen, aminoacid nitrogen and a third form,the nature ofwhich is not definitely known atthe pres-- ent time. It is however,known that the action of alkalis on humus causes the amido andamino-acid nitrogen constituents to be converted into crenates andaprocrenates which are very complex bodies; while the action of thealkalis on the third' form of nitrogen causes this form to break downinto simpler nitrogenous bodies and -even into ammonia.

Humus is a very important element ofthe soil. It has the advantage ofbeing very porous, so that it is highly absorbent of both water andgases; and serves as a nutrient material for fungus andbacterialgrowtli'. The humus substances are gelatinous when moist butarenever noticeablyplastic or ad hesive. Dry humus swells upyisibly'when wetted, the volume weight increasing from two to eighttimes, in this respect somewhat resembling glue or gelatin. In its waterabsorbing capacity, humus stands fore most Specification of LettersPatent. Application filed June 1, 1911.

Patented Sept. 5, 1911. Serial No. 630,677.

among the soil constituents. The density of natural humus is about 1.4,hence itis'the lightest of all the soil constituents, and if present ina substantial quantity in a soil it greatly improves the lightness andphysical condition thereof, converting heavy and nonporous clay soilsfor example, into tillable ground. Moreover, its functions in the soilare both numerous and important to vegetable growth. As regards soilformation, it assists disintegration of the rock material by theformation of certain fixed soluble I acids capable of acting upon thesoil quite effectively, which action is enhanced by the slow butcontinuous evolution of a carbonic acid under the influence of theoxygen of i the air. Another very important function is its action onthe soil in maintaining tilth, inasmuch as it tends to form the soilinto floccules or crumbs, which are extremely desirable andimportant toplant growth. T he several humates present in the soil such as growth ofbacteria and it is largely'due to the presence ofhumus thatmicro-organisms abound in the soil and exercise important functions inconnection with the growth of the higher plants. In fact, it has beenobserved that bacterial content is oftendirectly proportional to humuspercentages. Hence the bacterial and humus contents of soil aresensibly, if not directly correlated.

A large proportion of the bacteria of the soil are present in theaerobic form, that is,

dependent upon the presence of free oxygen -.-for their growth, whileothers, known as anerobic bacteria, flourish best'in the absence of air,or are able to avail themselves of the presence of combined oxygen bythe, reduction of oxids present in the soil.

While bacteria are able to thrive upon humus, they are apparentlydirectly nourished by the products of oxidation of humus and the variousgums derived from decaying plant substances. Carbohydrates are useful inthe propagation of soil bacteria and the salts of organic acids, such assodium citrate, lactate and malate have been found especiallystimulating to their growth. That bacteria are very important to thegrowth of plants'has been shown by experiments with sterilized soil inwhich certain essential processes are completely suppressed until thesoil is reinfected, and conditions of bacterial life restored. And anacid medium, such as in a sour soil, nitrification promptly ceases, asit also does generally when the amount of base present has been fullyneutralized. I

The bases most favorable to nitrification are lime and magnesium in theform of carbonates, an excess of which does no harm, while in the caseof carbonates of potash and soda the amounts must be restricted to cerasthey tend to convert available nitrogen into gaseous nitrogen resultingin the complete loss of such nitrogen to the soil. The

action of denitrifying bacteria is very ap parent when exerted on suchvaluable food vmaterial as nitrates and nitrites.

It may be added that various neutral salts have an action onnitrification which is not always favorable. 9 of 1% of common salt hasbeen shown to prevent nitrification altogether, while smaller amountsretard the action proportionately. The sulfates of the earthy and alkaligroups seem however to act favorably, at least up to J; of 1% for themore soluble species. Gypsum is especiallybeneficial, while sodium andpotassium sulfate and calcium and magnesium carbonate are usuallyeffective in decreasing strength in the order named, apart from theirneutralizing action.

Ammonia-forming bacteria are also present in the'soil to some extent,and these are capable of changing albluninoids and humus into ammonia.

Other bacteria of importance in plant growth, especially in the growthof legun1inous plants are the nitrogen absorbing bacteria, which grow inand on the nodules of the roots of leguminous plants. Their growth andpropagation are also probably favored by the presence of' certain 'greenalgae which are often seen to develop on soil surfaces.

The bacteria most important with the present invention are theUlostm'dz'um pasteum'aml-m, Bacillus a'lcalz'gems, Bacillus tumescens,Pseudomona, radicicola, Granulabacter, and several species of theAzotobacble form and by action of certain of the nitrogen absorbingbacteria also under suitable co-nditions,- nitrogen may be taken up fromthe air by the humus and placed in such a form as to be readilyavailable 'as a plant food. Therefore, it becomes possible by thepresent invention not only to convert the 1% to 6% or so of therelatively unavailable nitrogen into available nitrogen, but also tointroduce several per cent; of available nitrogenous food by absorptionof nitrogen from the air, and subsequent conversion. It has heretoforebeen proposed to inoculate soils or peat with certain bacteria, but sofar as I am aware, it has not able for nitrification-and nitrogenassimilation could be secured by having the inoculated soil or humus inan initially sterile condition. Not only is it desirable for the purposeof the'p resent invention to have the humus initially in a largelysterile condition, so as to prevent the growth of undesirable'bacteria,such as those having to do with denitrification and the like, but it isalso fairly essential to have'substantially pure cultures of theinoculated bacteria available for the introduction of said humus.

As heretofore indicated, sterilization of the soil, as for example byheat, would not be desirable, generally speaking. as plants grow in suchsoil very slowly until the latter is properly inoculated. In the presentinvention, the humus material-being free as possible from detrimentalsaline bodies, is sterilized more or less and is inoculated with certainof the nitrifying or nitrogen absorbing bacteria above mentioned, orothers suitable for the purpose. Sterilization of the humus in anautoclave in the presence of moisture atra pressure of 'two to threeatmospheres has the advantage of breaking down certain of thenitrogenous bodies into simpler and more readily available forms and forthe purpose of the present invention sterilization may be carried out inthis manner, or, inasmuch as a fertilizing material has to be producedon a large scale, the sterilization may be effected by passing the humusmaterial throughan ordinary rotary It also must be inexpensive.

pleting the sterilization in a rapid and eflicient manner. I may alsoeffect sterilization, or substantial sterilization by the use of anantiseptic material. Such material must however, be of -a character thatwill not affect the growth of the bacteria which are subsequentlyintroduced into the humus. In. other words, an antiseptic or'bactericide is required which has a selective sterilizing action,destroying or repressing the growth of unfavorable bacteria, etc., andpermitting the growth of nitrogen yielding bacteria. A material of thisdescription is found in lime borax waste, a by-product in the refiningof crude borax ores. The borax waste is available chiefly in the form ofborax-containing sulfate and carbonate of lime, both of which materialshave a stimulating action on the growth of beneficial bacteria. Theantiseptic base resides in a small content of borate which is notextracted'in the process of treating the ore. From 5% to 8% of the limeborax waste usually suflices to bring about the desired condition ofselective sterility.

As a neutralizing material, in addition to the borax waste, (or in casesterilization has been effected by heat and a neutralizing material isrequired) basic slag is well adapted. This is also known as Thomasphosphate powder, and is obtained in the manufacture of steel by thebasic process. It contains phosphorus in the form of tetracalciumphosphate. An analysis of such a basic slag shows about 19% of the totalphosphoric 'acid, 16% of available Iphosphoric acid, 3% of insolublephosphoric acid, 40% lime, 5% magnesia, 13% iron oxid and 7% manganeseoxid. A large proportion of the lime is present in the form of the oxid,and serves as a valuable neutralizing 'agent for the acids of the peat.In introducing the basic slag, or other neutralizing materials, into-thehumus, I may effect the entry prior to sterilization by heat, or in casethe latter method is not adopted for sterilization, the basic slag maybe simply mixed with borax waste or other antiseptic to be employed forcold sterilization. 3% to 5% of such basic slag may be introduced forthis purpose To further assist in the speed ofincubation, I also preferto add small quantities of saccharine matter such as glucose, molasses,or blackstrap. The addition of organic salt, such as sodium citrate, arealso useful as above indicated. In citrus fruitproducing regions, largequantities of waste fruit or culls are obtainable, and these may bepulped and the juices neutralized with carbonate of soda or milk of limeand the like, to form a cheap stimulating material. In Florida, forexample, where immense deposits of peat are found, these culls arereadily obtainable and in that section they may therefore be usedwithout materially increasing the cost of manufac ture.

In carrying out my invention, peat is secured running as high aspossible in nitro gen and should the peat contain large quantities ofwater, pressure may be resorted to in order to remove a considerableportion of the moisture. If roots are present, the product may bescreened or'ground to make it granular in character. The mixture maythen be mixed with 3% to 8% of borax waste and incubated, or it may besterilized by heat, as by heating in an autoclave to '2 or 3atmospheres, or by passing through a rotary drier, preferably exposed toa current of steam. The heat-sterilized material may then be treatedwith 3% to 5% of basic slag, or lime borax waste and moistened with aninoculating solution of nitrogen assimilating bacteria, such as thoseabove mentioned. The components are well mixed or composted and exposedto air away from rain in order to bring about the proper formation ofbacteria and the conversion of the nitrogen; or the material, afterhaving been inoculated may be placed in an incubator as for example alarge chamber maintained at a temperature of 25 to 30 degrees C. andcharged with moisture, through which the humus product is allowed-toslowly travel. This may be effected very simply by means of an extensiveseries of. belt conveyers, arranged horizontally, and superposed one onthe other, so that the material falls from one conveyer to another untilit has received the necessary exposure to air, moisture andwarmth andnitrogen has been absorbed to a desired amount.

The addition of small amount of nitrogenous salts such as ammoniumsulfate and phosphate, or of potash salts, or potashcontaining bodies,such as vinasse, are some-- times required to effect rapid conversion,all

depending upon the character of the origi-.

ing material may be added, such as additional basic slag,superphosphate, double I superphosphate, bone meal, sulphate and chloridof potash and the like. i

The flora and fauna of peat are highly complex; often containing manymolds,

algae, protozoa, as vorticella (Vorzkicella require different conditionsof handling,

.and it is diflicult, d priori, to give precise directions for themethod of neutralization of any particular species of peat. Nitrifyingbacteria, for example, will not flourish when in certain kinds of peatwhere carbonate of lime is present in excess of 2%, although from theforegoing it' will be seen that I have recommended from 3% to 8% or soof calcareous material. Since however, conditions demand special formsof neutralizing material in certain cases and since potash andphosphorus salts arematerials of value in stimulating the growth ofnitrifying or nitrogen assimilating bacteria and symbiotic bacteria,especially if said salts are not in a soluble form, but in an availableform, various useful mixtures may be prepared by roasting apatite orcalcium phosphate with feldspar, potassium silicate, lime, silica andsimilar,.materials.

For this purpose, a rotary kiln, such as employed in cement manufacturemay be used, and the materials may'simply be sintered together, or theymay be produced in a fused condition and disintegrated by means of a jetof steam or air. Mixtures may be made from 100 parts of apatite, 2partsfof calcium chlorid,-27 parts of feldspar and 20 parts of silica.Or simply, from 100 parts of apatite, or phosphate rock and 50 parts ofsilica, which produce a silico-pliosphate.

This reaction is carried out better the presence of lime, and 100 partsof apatite,

50 parts of silica and 30 parts of lime roasted at about 1400 C. give asatisfactory,

composition. Other mixtures are, 100 parts of apatite, 1 part calciumchlorid, 40 parts feldspar and 1 part each sodium chlorid, and sodiumsulfate. Also 100 parts calcium phosphate, 25, parts potassium silicateand 30 parts quicklime. Also 100 parts calcium phosphate, 30 partsfeldspar and 20 parts potassium silicate.

As'previcusly stated, nitrogenous matter is sometimes required to startactive nitrification and the growth of'nitrogen assimilating bacteria,hence the addition of ammo-' n1um sulfate or albuminoid ammonia as anutrient addition.

The procedure, as above given illustratively, of course does not need tobe followed exactly, as variations in the several sta esor steps arepossible, as will now be evi ent to those skilled in the art and I donotwish to limit myself to the precise materials or methods of above.

What I claim is,

1. The rocess of treating humus, comprocedure as set forth prisingmixinghumus material with lime material containing basic slag, sterilizingsaid humus material and inoculating it with nitrogen assimilatingbacteria.

2. The process of treating humus, comprising mixing humus material withbasic slag, and inoculating said humus material with soil bacteria.

3. The process of treating humus, comprising mixin humus material withbasic slag, substantially sterilizing said humus material by theaddition of borax waste and inoculating said material with nitrogenassimilating bacteria.

4;. The process of treatin humus, which comprises mixing substantial ysterile humus material with basic slag, inoculating said humus materialwith bacteria and incubating the mixture.

5. The process of treating humus, which comprises mixing substantiallysterile humus material with basic slag and stimulating material,inoculating said humus material with bacteria and incubating themixture.

6. The process of treating humus, which comprises mixing substantiallysterile humus material with basic slag, borax waste and saccharinematerial, inoculating said humus material with bacteria and incubatingit in the presence of airand moisture.

7 In the process of treating humus to increase its nitrogen content, theprocedure which consists in incubating a substantially sterilized.mixture, comprising humus, calcareous material containing phosphates andborates, and nitrogen assimilating bacteria.

8. A humus product comprising peat, having its natural nitrogensubstantially in a readily available form and containing availablenitrogen derivedfrom the air by the action of nitrogen assimilatingbacteria, said product also containing calcareous material.

9. A humus product comprising peat substantially freed of itsoriginallypresent micro-organisms, havin its natural nitrogen in areadily available orm and containing available nitrogen derived from theair by the action-of nitrogen-assimilating bacteria.

stantially freedof its originally-present nncro-organlsms, hav ng itsnatural nltrogen and containing available nitrogen derived from the airby the actlon of n1trogen-asslmllatln microorganisms; said product insubstantially a readily available form and I also containing calcareousmaterial and phos- 15 containing available nitrogen derived from the airby the action of nitrogen-assimilating bacteria. i

11; A humus product comprising peat substantially freed of itsoriginallypresent micro-organisms, having its natural nitrogen insubstantially a readily available form I Witnesses phates In testimonywhereof I have afiixed iny gnat-ure in the presence of two Witnesses.

OARLETON ELLIS.

BIRDELLA M. ELLIS,

MARY Ros-H

